Charles Town, WV (CNN) - As he stumps for a string of Republicans in increasingly bitter races, Sen. John McCain warned candidates against overconfidence and defended recent searing attacks on his Democratic colleagues.

"These are harsh times," he said, in response to a reporter's question about his criticism of Sen. Barbara Boxer and a conference call in which he slammed Sen. Patty Murray over the use of earmarks.
"She engages in that corrupt practice. Now whether she is corrupt I will let other people make judgment," McCain said on the call.

McCain did not back away from those statements Tuesday.

"[Senator Murray has] wasted millions and millions of taxpayers dollars," McCain said. "I have been to the floor for 20 years saying that earmarking was a corrupt practice so why should I be reluctant to say it when one of the most ardent practitioners of it will continue on that path?"

The senator from Arizona also warned fellow Republicans not to claim victory before the ballots are counted, reminding them "it isn't over till it's over."

McCain was campaigning in West Virginia with Senate hopeful John Raese, a longtime Republican candidate and businessman who is waging an unexpectedly close race against the state's popular Democratic governor, Joe Manchin.

McCain saved a few choice words for Manchin as well. Republicans in the state have enjoyed great success in portraying the well-liked governor as a rubber-stamp supporter for Democrats in Washington, especially the president.

"Gov. Manchin is running away from President Obama as fast as he can on literally every issue," McCain said. "If I could make a suggestion, I would suggest the governor become a Republican and run against Rockefeller next time."

soundoff(37 Responses)

Is it just me, or does John "crash" McCain resemble Schlepprock more and more each day? All he needs is a big droopy hat. Wowzy wowzy woo woo! Have a nice day!

October 26, 2010 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |

FREEDOM

Great job, Senator McCain! Go Carly Fiorina for California Senator, Dino Rossi for Washington Senator, and John Raese for West Virginia Senator 2010!!! PLEASE VOTE ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN THESE STATES!!! VOTE GOP!!!

October 26, 2010 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

John

Just reminder John McCain have us Saran Palin,why would any body want to listen to him. She the world biggest Idiot.

October 26, 2010 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

Kevin

This is disgusting. McCain is up for reelection in Arizona and he leaves us to go campaign elsewhere? I don't care how far ahead he is here at home, this is a sad, sad display that his loyalties have never been with the people in the state that keeps sending him to Washington. His national ambitions are all he cares about.

October 26, 2010 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |

Expat American

Graham and McCain but most importantly Palin would have repaired the nation's economy in less than 2 days; much less than 2 years. Searing criticism is a comfort afforded to those who created the disaster in the first place; while attacking the first people who actually tried to fix it. Foolish old ‘bathrobe in public’ McCain remains as big a fool as he has been since the day he picked up the bumblin’ Christ Nazi Trailer Park Tea Bigot Queen to run with him.

October 26, 2010 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |

nuser

He is a foul mouthed crabby little man.

October 26, 2010 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

Juanita

Talk is cheap, Senator. What have YOU done to better our country lately?

October 26, 2010 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

CommunistNewsNetwork

Might want to go over your article one last time Ms Streitfeld, you put the same paragraph twice. May want to place your editor with the 9% of the other unemployed Americans!

October 26, 2010 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |

Frank in Valparaiso Indiana

From when he nearly sank his carrier in Vietnam, this addled old fart who should be put to pasture has been a disaster for this nation. Backing Bush in his tax cuts for the wealthy, shipping jobs overseas, bottling up over FOUR HUNDRED House bills in the Senate. What an elite jackass. I bel all the people who lost houses to foreclosure really want to listen to this jerk and his party, he was what nine houses and can't remember them all? He says its harsh times? Arizona, full of Alzheimer patients who vote like lemmings. Then there's Palin who is an intellectual clown.

October 26, 2010 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

ron

These harsh times were created by GOP greed, for letting, banks, big oil, and big buisnesses run unchecked for eight years.

October 26, 2010 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |

Clwyd

John, did you warn them not to make stupid choices for running mates also? You take the cake man!

October 26, 2010 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Billy

What a bitter loser. He's no hero, he's nothing but a hack without any real principles or convictions. McCain has definitely surpassed his freshness date.

October 26, 2010 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |

Newsflash! Bristol To Do Interpretive Dance Of Mother's Lack Of Substance And Intelligence

Bitter, party of one, your table is ready for you and all your other wingnut guests.

October 26, 2010 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |

pw

He's among friends the klu kluk klan

October 26, 2010 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |

Anthony

Why is McCain's body double so close to him? Kind of defeats the purpose!

October 26, 2010 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |

stevegee

The real harsh time is going to be on November 3rd, when Obama and the Democrats become lame duck mistakes!

Stay vigilant people - and vote American, vote Republican.

October 26, 2010 05:12 pm at 5:12 pm |

MPeters

What I really don't understand is why he isn't exhorting his own party for also earmarking like fiends. I mean, if we are gonna call Boxer and McMurrary out, why not mention the 40 other Republican Senators who "waste taxpayer money" by earmarking the crap out of things?

I mean, the stimulus bill was full of earmarks, both Republican and Democrat alike. It's a nasty practice that both parties participate in to the fullest extent. Just because its "harsh times" Senator does not give you the right to be a hypocritical fool of a man. Does this mean that your entire party but you is also corrupt?

October 26, 2010 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

Keith

Funny how he grumbles about millions in earmarks, but he will not lift a finger to stop the BILLIONS we give away to Israel as we help finance their construction in Palestinian territory. It seems, for McCain, it is only wasteful if the money is spent on Americans, who pay the taxes. Neither does he show any interest in looking into the war profiteering of US companies. The Wall Street Journal just posted that of the 700 Billion "defense" budget, 400 Billion went to contractors. We don't want to look into that, surely it would be unpatriotic, or might cut into campaign donations!

October 26, 2010 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

A keen observer

Did McCain just figure this out? He must be pretty slow in his old age. Time to retire, John!

Four months away from one full year of being unemployed! Tired of being told that there are jobs out there! Tired of not having the money needed to pay my bills or to put gas in my car! Catch 22 you need money to get a job, without the job NO money!
Live in central Iowa health care is Iowa care (a joke)! Have to go to Iowa City for medical care by the BUS! Waste of money.

October 26, 2010 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Former Republican, now an Independent

John McCain should be very careful how and where he casts stones. Some of us Americans still remember the Savings and Loan scandel he was involved in that cost people millions of dollars.

October 26, 2010 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Video Guy

He put his country second or third when he gave the lover 48 Sarah Palin. I think he was thinking with the wrong body part,

October 26, 2010 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |

GOP Scorched Earth Politics

12 houses or so many you can't even keep track...and your boy Raece the Racist inherited his $ want to lecture us on "harsh times"? Millionaire elitists that eat with diamond-plated silver spoons and don't even have to work for living = you don't know squat about hard times.

October 26, 2010 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |

rdepontb

Mr. McCain, you should have been made to turn in the Navy hat when you picked Palin, a complete non-starter, as Veep running mate. What made you think she could govern if you were somehow incapacitated?? And now you are attacking, with vile and violent language, your Democratic counterparts, as if you were a newbie yourself. And we wonder why kids are so into bullying tactics and bad civics??